Bully probe head to join Kent school
By Nicola Jordan and Daniel McMillan

THE former headmaster of the world famous
Westminster Abbey Choir School, who resigned amid allegations of bullying,
has been given the job of running one of Kent's most prestigious schools.
Roger Overend, whose controversial four-year regime at the historic school
was the subject of a special social services investigation, has been offered
the post of headmaster of King's Preparatory School in Rochester.
The school caters for eight to 12 year-olds at fees of up to £3,800 a
term.

Mr Overend, 48, left the choir school in February
following the publication of the social services' report. But now Dr
Ian Walker, the headmaster of King's School, says he stands by his decision
to appoint Mr Overend.
He said: "We are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding his departure
from Westminster Abbey Choir School, a fact which demonstrates that
one cannot believe everything one reads in the newspapers.
"King's is delighted to have appointed such a talented, competent and
caring teacher."

Inspectors from Westminster Social Services originally
went into the school on a routine 12-day inspection, but following complaints
from parents and pupils they undertook a three-month inquiry.
In their report, they said: "A minority of choristers reported that
they were not or hardly ever bullied. Most reported that they are sometimes
bullied and a minority that they are bullied often or most of the time.
"Physical bullying, eg pinching, pushing and punching is mostly experienced
by younger choristers.
"Most choristers reported verbal bullying, and reported it as being
perpetrated by staff in particular, the headmaster or older pupils."
It adds: "The school has been under great stress for some time and measures
now need to be taken to reassess attitudes and the culture which has
developed."

The welfare report, which was welcomed by governors,
was issued in January, shortly before Mr Overend's departure.
Dr Walker disputes the findings of the Westminster Social Services'
report. He said: "It's not true that Mr Overend was asked to leave from
Westminster Abbey Choir School and the claims that he bullied the pupils
are not true."
"I spoke to the Dean of Westminster Abbey at some length. The report
from the social services is not true. I have got my facts. I have spoken
to current parents and with former head teachers who have worked with
Mr Overend and with the Dean. I have the facts, the press do not."
"I do not believe there was any inappropriate or unprofessional behaviour
while he was head teacher at Westminster."
"I could have appointed any one of a number of people who applied for
the position but I chose Mr Overend because he is a good head teacher."

Mr Overend has been reported in the Daily Telegraph
as saying he was "totally shocked' at being asked to resign from the
ancient school. He said:"I was not sacked or suspended. It was so odd.

One parent, who withdrew his two sons from Westminster
claiming they had been persistently bullied, said the was surprised
Mr Overend had found another job just four months later. He said:"My
eldest son used to be an outward, humorous, confident boy. Now he is
withdrawn, twitchy, never laughs and bursts into tears. "The conditions
at the choir school were worse than anything out of Dickens. Here we
have a school, at the centre of the Church of England in the 21st century.
In theory this sort of thing should never have been possible.' Another
father quoted in The Daily Telegraph likened the school to Dotheboys
Hall, the brutal boarding establishment in Charles Dickens' novel Nicholas
Nickleby.
Mr Overend, a father of four, is due to take up his post in September
when the current head Chris Nickless is standing down.